Day Five—Cate

Friday, June 20th was a day illuminated by fulfilling, boundless connection and enlightening cultural immersion. We awoke to the luminous Hawaiian sun pouring through our windows. As we readied ourselves for service, we experienced the inherent joy of knowing one another and actively being in the company of our energetic group. We piled into the van, and as we sang our way through the hour-long drive, we were filled with anticipation and excitement for the service to come. When we arrived at the Nā Mea Kūpuna Learning Center and taro farm, we were immediately overwhelmed with the sheer natural beauty of the scenery. Little did we know that we were about to meet one of the most welcoming and passionate individuals. From the moment we met Felicita Garrido, it was clear she was one of a kind in her spirit, kindness, and hope. She immediately made us feel welcomed. She then explained her background of 25 years as a Hawaiian Studies teacher. She also outlined her background in farming and knowledge of Hawaiian history and practices. We then received the immeasurably valuable gift of her wisdom and sustainable philosophy. She talked about the intricately crafted skills of the native Hawaiian people and their self-sustaining and giving lifestyle and practices. She explained how the taro is grown and harvested in families of generational longevity. This is in line with the perhaps most prominent value of Hawaiian culture from what I have gathered: ohana, meaning family.This was reflected in the love our host showed us. She treated us as her own, explaining how in Hawaii, you call all your peers family: whether it be auntie, uncle, brother, sister, or cousin. Being so far from home and my family, it made me incredibly emotional how much she treated us like family. She explained how as an educator with no children, she loved and viewed her students as her own. She was truly an amazing speaker with an unmatched gift for articulation and communication. She had an arsenal of morally awakening metaphors to prove just how dire the need for ecological and agricultural reform is in our hurting world and climate. She explained the relationship between the land and the people, noting how the hurt in our world and within our people is directly tied to the mistreatment of our environment. This motivated us to take action, and we felt determined and grateful for the opportunity to aid her in her sustainable farming by weeding the taro patches on the land. We equipped ourselves with tools, gloves, and water shoes and sank into the mud that surrounded the taro that was occupied by invasive and unneeded weeds. Knee-deep in mud, we removed the weeds with our hands and tools and set them aside to be raked. After our service, we were gifted with further generosity and hospitality when Felicita's husband, Uncle Steven Bolosan, prepared us some treats. We tasted taro in the stage before poi, called "pu'i'ai. " It was delicious, and they explained the extensive health benefits of the whole food. When it was time to leave, we embraced our hosts, thanking them for the truly unforgettable experience. We spent the early afternoon at the beach and then made our way to the Waimea Valley, where we had the incredible opportunity to go to the Toa Luau. The performance and meal were beyond amazing, and I was extremely grateful to have the chance to learn about the Hawaiian culture through the various demonstrations and entertainment. Ending an amazing day with our nightly Compline prayer, we headed to sleep with hearts filled with love and knowledge and bellies filled with delicious Hawaiian pork.